Spirit veins soared through thunder and flame; a Daoist's sword set the ages in order

A land of nature's splendor and heaven's treasures, where sunset clouds rested upon Cloud Perch Continent.

Atop Foothill Mountain on Cloud Perch Continent, an immortal palace a hundred zhang tall and spanning three hundred li hung above the summit. Auspicious clouds surrounded it like a sea, refracting golden, scale-like radiance, while the sun shone high overhead, bathing it in myriad colors.

At the foot of Foothill Mountain, countless cultivators came and went without cease. They had erected vast encampments around the mountain as temporary lodgings.

From halfway up Foothill Mountain onward, terraces, pavilions, and towers stood packed like scales and comb teeth amid the surging clouds, with immortal palaces and cloud halls scattered in clusters.

A Golden Core Realm cultivator from Cloud Perch Continent sighed at the sight. "It's been years since Foothill Mountain saw so many cultivators coming and going."

The veteran Purple Mansion Realm and Golden Core Realm cultivators around him, all three to five hundred years old, nodded in agreement.

At that moment, a young Qi Refining Realm cultivator who had only recently entered the Dao could not help asking, "May I ask you seniors and True Persons—was Foothill Mountain once prosperous?"

At the youngster's question, the surrounding Purple Mansion Realm adepts and Golden Core Realm True Persons sighed repeatedly. The young Qi Refining Realm cultivator grew apprehensive, unsure what he had said to offend them.

The Golden Core Realm True Person stroked his beard. "You cannot be blamed for not knowing."

"In truth, Foothill Mountain never lacked cultivators before. A little over a decade ago, it was among the foremost cultivation sanctuaries on Cloud Perch Continent, honored as the leader of the Eight Great Upper Sects. Its incense offerings flourished, and cultivators streamed through like drifting smoke. Four Void Refinement True Lords presided over it—it was